This initiative, which involves the Alt Pirineu Natural Park as a partner, is 65% funded by Interreg Poctefa funds. The first meeting of the program was held last Monday at the Espai Ermengol in La Seu d'Urgell, marking the beginning of its execution, planned until 2028. Representatives from various Pyrenean municipalities with ties to this ancient activity attended the gathering.

Marc Garriga, director of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, emphasized that the project will expand training opportunities in the forging trade and facilitate participation in events such as the Pyrenean Iron Fair of Vall Ferrera, held every summer in Alins (Pallars Sobirà). The main goal is to curb the decline of this activity, especially in rural areas.

Furthermore, Garriga highlighted the program's potential to disseminate the heritage of iron exploitation in the Virós forest area, dating back to the Roman-Visigothic era and home to Catalonia's first forges. Pallars, along with Ripollès, Andorra, and Catalunya del Nord, is one of the major historical iron production regions in the Pyrenees. Historically, material reached Catalonia from Catalunya del Nord, and mining on the southern slope of the mountain range was boosted after the Treaty of the Pyrenees.

For his part, the mayor of Campdevànol, Oriol Lázaro, stressed how the development of this activity spurred the growth of the valleys in the area. He added that the project will not only enrich the cultural offerings of the territory but also provide training to equip the metallurgical industry with qualified technicians, contributing value and talent to the sector.